If that’s your only problem, then you probably
have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you
can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made
possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.
This method is easy enough for newbies to
follow – it doesn’t require using the Recovery Console or any complicated
commands. And it’s free - I mention that because you can pay two hundred
dollars for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which
is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here
http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp
ERD is an excellent multi purpose product,
but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system
and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten
password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your
Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here’s how
with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included
for newbie’s.
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom
and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as
it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages
for booting to your
cd Typically, it will be “Press
any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will
indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.
4. When you get to the
Welcome to Setup screen,
press ENTER to
Setup Windows now
5. The
Licensing Agreement comes
next - Press
F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the
Setup screen
which gives you the option to do a Repair.
It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations
is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to
select
your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be
selected) and
press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check
your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage,
you will be required to reboot. (
this will happen
automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will
reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake
of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume
automatically with the
standard billboard screens and you will notice
Installing Windows is
highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand
side of the screen and when you see the
Installing Devices progress
bar
, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security
hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for
wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type
NUSRMGR.CPL and
press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical
access to your
User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need
to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want
to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type
control
userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked
for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the
command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).
13. Once the Repair is done, you will be
able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose
not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs
and personalized settings should remain intact.
I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with
and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone
could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the
problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts.
You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its
gui access
with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue
with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining
access to your system, this would be no problem.
And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot
cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new
password.
Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming
at bootup and your changes will be lost.
Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed,
you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating
a
Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the
event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new
password.
Here's how to create one if your computer
is NOT on a domain:
- Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
- Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click "Prevent
a forgotten password".
- This will initiate a wizard.
- Click Next and then insert
a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.
- Click Next and enter
your logon password in the password box.
- Click Next to begin the creation of your Password
disk.
- Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe
place
How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password
Reset Disk
Start your computer and at the logon screen,
click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything.
This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option
to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which
will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk
into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose
a new password to use for your account.
Note: If your computer is part of a domain,
the procedure for creating a password disk is different.
See here for step by step instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;306214&
